Take the next step to end poverty and racism | Letter

Thanks to the 30 people in Bothell who held a peaceful vigil to remember those killed and injured in Charlottesville, Virginia (Bothell-Kenmore Reporter, Aug. 18).

This is a good way to show support for ending racism in America. Racism can also be fought by battling poverty, which is interwoven with racism and inequality. Poverty results from structures within our society. We know solutions to poverty like jobs paying living wages and tax reforms like the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit.

Current cuts proposed to safety net programs like SNAP (formerly food stamps) in both the president’s budget and the House budget must be opposed. So after this vigil, take the next step and contact your representative and senators and ask them to support solutions in tax reform that work to battle poverty and protect the safety net programs like SNAP from cuts. Our voices can make the difference to bring about the end of poverty and racism.